Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: Julian on August 23, 2013, 02:49:56 PM

Title: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: Julian on August 23, 2013, 02:49:56 PM
Can't find the original post, so starting a fresh ...

Since I last cleaned my settling tank I've been titrated acid washing every batch.  Had some time spare whilst dewatering today, so I thought I'd give it another clean out.

Surprise ... no soap, just a shallow sludgy type of layer (similar to the intermediate layer I posted on this page recently ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Water_washing_titrated_acid_method) which, if the tank was cone bottomed, would have drained very easily through a valve.

So acid washing could save you a great deal of digging.
Title: Re: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: nigelb on August 23, 2013, 05:23:36 PM
Are you using the conc acid or the battery acid? How much on average are you using?
Title: Re: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: Julian on August 23, 2013, 06:04:22 PM
Quote from: nigelb on August 23, 2013, 05:23:36 PM
Are you using the conc acid or the battery acid? How much on average are you using?

Still using up my old supply of conc.  It varies a little bath to batch but on the last few batches I've used 15 - 20 ml.  So what I picked up at the BBB is a lifetimes supply!
Title: Re: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: Julian on August 23, 2013, 06:11:27 PM
Thinking about this, I've just removed the "never overflowing drain" pipe from the tank.  Think I'll use the hole to install a 15mm drain valve similar to this ... http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Draining_a_plastic_barrel

Suppose I should be praticing what I preach!
Title: Re: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: Julian on August 25, 2013, 12:22:24 PM
I've added a little text to the titrated acid wash page to reflect the above.
Title: Re: Tony's post on removing soap from a settling tank.
Post by: Tony on August 25, 2013, 04:07:18 PM
Ah you can keep it, my process is going to remain dry :)